USA

Live & Study in USA

As the home of nearly one in every five universities in the QS World University Rankings, the US remains the world’s leading destination for international students. In 2009, 660,581 non-US students – around 18% of the total number of students studying abroad – studied in the United States. Of course, it’s not just educational quality that draws students in. Whether you’re drawn to the bright lights and fast pace of the big city or miles and miles of unspoiled wilderness; sun-kissed beaches or lush forests; the rustic and traditional or the sleek and modern, this huge and massively diverse country will be able to deliver. The sheer volume and variety of educational establishments also means that you can be pretty confident of finding a suitable institution in your preferred surroundings. And if you don’t get it right the first time, moving between universities is not uncommon in the US. American undergraduate degrees last four years. You will spend the first two studying a wide range of subjects – you can choose which ones, but you will be required to cover certain subject areas set by your university – after which you choose the subject on which you want to focus.

Fees & Financial Aids details:

In terms of fees, universities in the US do not tend to differentiate between domestic and international students (domestic students studying at public universities in the state in which they live do pay less though).

Fees do, however, vary significantly from university to university. One thing is certain though – it won’t be cheap.

However, there’s a good chance you will not have to pay the full figure. Universities in the US are known to offer substantial discounts, grants and scholarships.

If you want to get an idea of what financial aid you’re eligible for, use the ‘net price calculator’ on the website of the university in which you’re interested (all institutions are required to offer this service).

Applications

You will need to apply directly to the institution(s). If you are accepted you’ll be entered into an international student database, and sent a copy of the information stored on this, which you will need to check for accuracy.

It’s also important to ensure that you pay the fee (the SEVIS I-901 fee) for this database service, which will be US$200.

Visas

You will then be ready to apply for your F-1 non-immigrant visa. In order to obtain this you will need to arrange an interview at your local US embassy, following the process below.

Pay the MRV fee of US$140 (the embassy will tell you where you should pay this).

Complete a DS-160 form online, uploading a photograph.

Bring your acceptance letter, proof you’ve paid all the fees and filled in the right forms, and a passport which doesn’t expire until six months after you complete your degree to the interview.

The decision will be in the hands of the consular officer. Their decision will hinge on three things: whether you can financially support yourself, whether you can show you can and want to return home after graduating (getting a work visa is a whole different process), and whether you can prove your academic results to date.

The last of these may involve you proving your proficiency in English. You will also have to provide proof of this to your university at the application stage.

Additional demands will be made if you have a criminal record, or you’re an expert in certain areas of science and technology.

You can receive your visa a maximum of 120 days before your course’s start date – but processing can take place before this date. You cannot actually enter the country until 30 days before the beginning of your course, unless you have a visitor visa. This last stipulation also applies to those who would normally not require a visa for short stays in the US.

Living in USA

While in the United States, you will want to do more than just study. You will have many opportunities to discover more about the country through daily contact with Americans, by exploring all that your area has to offer, and by taking some time to travel to other corners of the United States. You will have to deal with such matters as banking, shopping, postal and telephone services, automobiles and traffic laws, tipping customs, and so on. This section gives practical information to help you become familiar with the services, conveniences, opportunities, and ways of daily life in the United States. If you are traveling to the United States with your family, it also provides information to help you help them settle in your new home.

Finding Housing

One of the most important things you will have to take care of before you start your studies in the United States is finding a place to live. This is an important decision since it will be one of your biggest expenses and will affect your personal and academic adjustment. Everyone is happiest and most productive in surroundings that are comfortable to them.

Temporary Accommodations

You may arrive at your school in advance of the date when you can move into your permanent housing, or you may need to look for housing. There are a number of choices when temporary, overnight accommodations are required. The most expensive are hotels and motels, but some “budget” motel chains can be quite reasonable. Other options include the local YMCA or YWCA, youth hostels, and international houses. At some schools, university residences may be available, or you may be able to stay with a local family or current student. It is always best to check with the international student adviser in advance for information on overnight housing options.

Campus Housing

Almost all U.S. colleges and universities provide their students with the option to live in residence halls or dormitories (also called “dorms”). These are usually for single students, not for married couples or families, and are situated on or close to the campus. It is a great place to meet U.S. students and make new friends rapidly. Dormitory rooms are equipped with basic furniture, and many dormitories in the United States also have a cafeteria. In some dorms there may be a kitchen for those who would rather cook for themselves. Dormitories usually have common rooms where students can get together to watch television, play games, or simply be with friends. Supervisors, often called “residence advisers” or “resident directors,” often live in dormitories to keep an eye on safety and cleanliness and to make sure the rules are observed. Most of the time, these residence advisers are students themselves, employed by the university. The residence adviser can also be a great source of information and support throughout the academic year. Usually there is a great demand for residence hall space, and it might not be easy to get a room. As soon as you receive your acceptance letter from your chosen school, return the housing application. An advance deposit may be required. At some colleges and universities, dormitory rooms are so much in demand that a lottery is held to determine who will be granted space. Some campus housing closes for holidays, vacations, and break periods; others may be open year-round. If you require campus housing during vacations and holiday periods, be sure to inquire well in advance regarding availability. Also check with your international student adviser regarding the possibility of a homestay or off-campus housing options Many rooms in dormitories are shared with one or more roommates. Many universities require first year students to share a room. Your roommate will be someone of the same sex, whom you will not know. Be prepared to live with someone who could be very different from you. Roommate arrangements often lead to life-long friendships, but on rare occasions roommates can prove mismatched. If you have problems in your living arrangements with your roommate, do not hesitate to contact your residence adviser or anyone else in charge of housing at your university to discuss the situation. In extreme cases, it is possible to change rooms or roommates. Dormitory rooms usually do not have a private bath or toilet. Instead, residents share large “community” bathrooms, which are separate for men and women. In the United States, a bathroom includes a toilet, a sink, and a bathtub or a shower. Generally, students living in a dormitory have to follow a set of rules to ensure smooth community living. There are rules to control the noise level, the cleanliness, the number of visitors, and other aspects of living. These rules can vary from building to building to cater to different student tastes. For example, some dormitories might be designated as “24-hour quiet” buildings for students who prefer a more studious lifestyle, while some others might not have strict noise regulations for students whohave a

Accreditation

If you are planning to study in the U.S., it is important to know if the school in which you plan to enroll is accredited. Accreditation helps to ensure that the school is of high quality and that you will receive the programs and services that the school describes in its promotional materials.

What is accredtation?

Accreditation is a process of external quality review. Accrediting agencies develop standards of excellence in areas such as faculty, curriculum, administration, and student services. Institutions and programs that meet the standards and that are granted accreditation continue on a path toward ongoing improvement.

USA Fact Sheet

Federal presidential republic with bicameral legislature

President (currently Barack Obama) is both head of state and head of government

Capital city is Washington DC, but biggest city by population is New York, followed by Los Angeles and Chicago

Consists of 50 states â€“ all but two of which make up the US mainland along with the District of Columbia (the DC in Washington DC) â€“ as well as the unoccupied Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, and five overseas territories (people who live there are US citizens but cannot vote)

Worldâ€™s biggest economy by far, with a GDP of over US$15 trillion (a trillion is a million million in case youâ€™re struggling to get your head round that)

Worldâ€™s number one destination for international students

Biggest spender on defence in the world, spending more than six times more than China, the next biggest spender, in 2010

Either the third or the fourth biggest country in the world, depending on who you askâ€¦

National sports include American football, basketball and baseball, with ice hockey popular in northern states

Formerly part of the British empire, until gaining independence in the late 18th century

Currency is United States dollar, symbol: $

Time zones vary from UTC-5 (-4 in summer) to UTC -10

International dialling code is +1

List of Universities in United States:

Alabama

University of Alabama System

University of Alabama (Alabama)

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH)

Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (Alabama A&M)

Alabama State University (Alabama State)

Athens State University

Auburn University system

Auburn University (Auburn) (Auburn- flagship/main campus)

Auburn University at Montgomery

Jacksonville State University

University of Montevallo

University of North Alabama (UNA)

University of South Alabama (USA)

Troy University system

Troy University (Troy) (Troy- flagship/main campus)

Troy University at Dothan

Troy University at Montgomery

Tuskegee University

University of West Alabama (UWA)

Alaska

University of Alaska System

University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) (Fairbanks-flagship/main campus)

University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA)

University of Alaska Southeast (UAS)

American Samoa

American Samoa Community College (currently offers two-year associate’s degrees only)

Delaware

University of Delaware (UD)

Delaware State University

District of Columbia

University of the District of Columbia (UDC)

Note that the District of Columbia provides tuition grants to its residents toward the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at public four-year colleges and universities throughout the US, Guam, and Puerto Rico.[2]

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans (medical school)

Paul M. Hebert Law Center (law school on the main Baton Rouge campus)

University of Louisiana System

University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) (Lafayette-flagship/main campus)

Grambling State University

University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM)

University of New Orleans (UNO)

Louisiana Tech University

McNeese State University

Nicholls State University

Northwestern State University

Southeastern Louisiana University

Southern University System

Southern University, (Baton Rouge- flagship/main campus)

Southern University at New Orleans

Southern University at Shreveport

Maine

Maine Maritime Academy

University of Maine System

University of Maine at Orono (Maine) (Orono-flagship/main campus)

University of Maine at Augusta

University of Maine at Farmington

University of Maine at Fort Kent

University of Maine at Machias

University of Maine at Presque Isle

University of Southern Maine

University of Maine Law School

Maryland

Morgan State University

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

University System of Maryland

University of Maryland, College Park (Maryland, UMCP, or UMD) (College Park-flagship/main campus)

Bowie State University

Coppin State University

Frostburg State University

Salisbury University

Towson University (Towson)

University of Baltimore (UB)

University of Maryland, Baltimore (UM Baltimore or UMB)

University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)

University of Maryland University College (UMUC)

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute

Virginia–Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) (constituent college of both the University of Maryland, College Park and Virginia Tech; independent of the University System of Maryland)

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PaSSHE)

The 14 universities in PaSSHE are state-owned. They are directly governed by gubernatorial appointees sitting on the PaSSHE Board of Governors. Each university also has an independent Council of Trustees appointed by the Commonwealth’s governor.

State-owned universities:

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

California University of Pennsylvania

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Clarion University of Pennsylvania

Clarion University of Pennsylvania, Venango

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania

Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Academy of Culinary Arts

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Armh6

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Northpointe

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Punxsutawney

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania

Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Clearfield

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

Commonwealth System of Higher Education

Universities of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education receive public funds and reduce tuition for residents of Pennsylvania. Gubernatorial appointees are always a minority of their respective governing boards.